Kentucky faces devastating flooding with 9 dead and more than a thousand rescued

Severe flooding has wreaked havoc across Kentucky, leading to more than 1,000 rescues and at least nine death as emergency teams race to help those trapped by rising waters.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Severe flooding has wreaked havoc across Kentucky, leading to more than 1,000 rescues as emergency teams race to help those trapped by rising waters. At least nine fatalities have been confirmed, with officials warning the death toll will likely rise as search-and-rescue efforts continue.

“This is one of the most serious weather events we’ve dealt with in at least a decade,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday.

The fatalities were reported in several counties, including Hart, Pike and Clay, with many incidents involving vehicles attempting to navigate floodwaters. Beshear emphasized the importance of staying off roadways to prevent further loss of life.

A mother and her 7-year-old child were killed in Kentucky when the car they were in was swept away by floodwaters in Hart County near Interstate 65, a county official told WBKO-TV. Hart County Coroner Tony Roberts said the two were swept away Saturday night in the Bonnieville community. In southeastern Kentucky, a 73-year-old man was found dead in floodwaters in Clay County, county Emergency Management Deputy Director Revelle Berry said.

Park Boundary Road between Seneca and Cherokee was closed due to high water Sunday morning after heavy rains flooded Beargrass Creek in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.Matt Stone / The Courier-Journal via USA Today NetworkNearly 40,000 residents are without power, 9,800 service connections lack water and 26,000 are under a boil-water advisory, authorities said at the Sunday press conference. Pike County School District announced Sunday that it will be closed until further notice.

https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/winter-weather/flooding-us-southeast-leaves-1-dead-rcna192385

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